Gujarat tribal farmers’ forest land protest intensifies as administrative boundary becomes new flashpoint
The protest, which entered its sixth day on Friday, intensified as tribal leaders and BJP representatives reached the site to extend support to the farmers. AHMEDABAD: A seven-day non-violent protest by tribal farmers in Sagbara taluka of Gujarat’s Narmada district has intensified over access to forest land cultivated by villagers for years. The standoff has now acquired a political and administrative edge, with BJP leaders joining the protest and Congress extending support, while the Forest Department maintains that cultivation is subject to provisions of the Forest Rights Act and a Gram Sabha resolution. At the heart of the dispute is a boundary complication: the farmers live in Narmada district, while the disputed forest land falls under the administrative jurisdiction of Surat district. The forest land dispute in tribal-majority Narmada district has turned into a growing political and administrative confrontation, with farmers from 12 villages, including Khopi in Sagbara taluka, continuing their non-violent dharna after being stopped from ploughing land they claim to have cultivated for years. The protest, which entered its sixth day on Friday, intensified as tribal leaders and BJP representatives reached the site to extend support to the farmers and assure them that their demands would be taken up with the government. The Congress has also backed the tribal community, adding a political dimension to what began as a dispute over cultivation rights. The immediate trigger came when farmers reached the fields to plough the disputed forest land but were stopped by Forest Department personnel. Rather than retreat, the farmers stayed back in the fields and began a sit-in, continuing their protest through the night. Their agitation has since continued, turning the issue into a wider demand for recognition of traditional cultivation rights. One of the protesting farmers, in a video message, said the community had been cultivating the land for years and questioned the sudden restrictions imposed by the authorities. “We have been cultivating this land for years, but now police have been deployed to stop us from ploughing it. We want to make it clear to the government that these are lands on which our farmers have traditionally cultivated. The government and Forest Department have introduced different rules and are preventing us from farming. We are therefore sitting in protest to reclaim our right to cultivate the land.” The farmer said the Forest Department, however, has put forward a different interpretation of the dispute. Surat Forest Department ACF Gaurav Kumar said the administration was acting in accordance with the Forest Rights Act, 2006, and that the dispute was complicated by the administrative location of the land. According to Kumar, the Act protects eligible claimants who were cultivating forest land before December 13, 2005. However, he said the disputed land is located within Surat district, while the farmers seeking to cultivate it reside in Sagbara, Narmada district. Kumar said the issue also involves the requirement of a Gram Sabha resolution from the village where the land is located. “The Forest Rights Act, 2006 provides protection where cultivation has been taking place since December 13, 2005. But in this case, the farmers are from Sagbara, while the forest land falls within Surat district. Under the relevant provisions, a Gram Sabha resolution is required from the area where the land is located. The people of Umarpada have informed us that their Gram Sabha has not passed any resolution permitting farmers from Sagbara to come and cultivate the land. Therefore, the present dispute is essentially linked to the administrative boundary. The Forest Department is acting according to the provisions of the tribal rights law.” The administrative boundary has now emerged as the central fault line in the dispute. According to the Forest Department, the area was part of the erstwhile Bharuch district before Narmada district was carved out, while the disputed forest land currently falls within Surat district. The result is an unusual situation in which the farmers demanding cultivation rights reside in one district while the land they seek to cultivate is administered by another. The farmers, however, insist that administrative boundaries cannot override their longstanding cultivation practices. Their argument is simple: if they have been cultivating the land for years, they should not be denied access because of a change or clarification in administrative jurisdiction. The dispute has also put the implementation of tribal forest rights under scrutiny. On World Tribal Day, when the focus traditionally turns to tribal rights over jal, jangal and zameen, farmers from these villages are instead sitting in the fields demanding access to the very land they claim as their traditional source of livelihood. The protest has meanwhile drawn growing political attention. BJP leader Leelaben Vasava joined the farmers, followed by Narmada MP Mansukh Vasava, Nandod MLA Dr Darshanaben Deshmukh and Dediapada BJP leaders, including former ministers Motilal Vasava and Shankar Vasava. The leaders assured the protesters that their demands would be conveyed to the state government. BJP MP Mansukh Vasava, who has urged the farmers to maintain a non-violent agitation, sharply questioned the manner in which the dispute was being handled by officials. “Listen to elected representatives like us as well. Do not listen only to Forest Department officials. Decisions should not be taken merely by sitting in an office and looking at satellite maps. Come to Narmada district and see the situation on the ground. Farmers from Surat district are cultivating, while farmers from Narmada are being stopped. We have been elected for seven terms, so our words should also be heard. Come here, understand the ground reality and deliver justice to these farmers.” He said the BJP leader’s intervention has added pressure on the administration, particularly because the protest involves farmers from a tribal belt where forest rights and access to land remain deeply linked to livelihood. For the protesters, however, the political support is secondary to their core demand. They have made it clear that the dharna will continue until the government provides what they describe as a fair, lawful and permanent solution to the cultivation dispute. The
Rahul Gandhi to visit Amritsar this month in a likely effort to quell infighting, fissures in Punjab unit
During the party’s ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ campaign, the grand old party found itself firefighting internal power struggles and fissures as public clashes erupted between rival factions. CHANDIGARH: Amid efforts to end the factionalism in the Punjab Congress ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and senior party leader Rahul Gandhi will visit Amritsar by this month-end. The reason behind the visit is the internal power struggles and fissures between the state leadership and the recent clashes between supporters of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, state Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, besides AICC General Secretary and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel’s visit to the State leaving behing no breakthrough. Party sources said that the schedule of Rahul Gandhi’s visit is being worked out as the State unit leaders are planning to hold a ‘unity bus yatra’ during his visit, as he is expected to pay obeisance at the Golden Temple and other religious places in Amritsar. The visit of Rahul coincides with final efforts by the party high command to end infighting in the state Congress. Sources added that it is expected that during his visit, Rahul will give a message of unity to the state leadership, as the high command has already said the dissenting leaders that it will not act under pressure and will take a decision that is in sync with the ground reality. Thus, a few important decisions to achieve unity are expected in the coming days. On August 12, Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa met Rahul Gandhi outside Parliament House in Delhi in the presence of Congress general secretary (organisation) KC Venugopal and discussed the situation in the state unit ahead of the assembly elections. A day before, a dinner meeting was held at the Delhi residence of Gurdaspur MP and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, which was attended by Jalandhar MP and former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, Ferozepur MP Sher Singh Ghubaya, Bajwa, and MLAs Rana Gurjit Singh and Pargat Singh. During the meeting, it was felt that MPs and senior leaders should approach the high command and brief the central leadership about the latest developments, as these leaders had asked Bajwa to get them time from Rahul for the meeting, as they have approached him but have not been given time so far. On August 7, 15 Punjab Congress MLAs wrote to the high command seeking appointments with KC Venugopal and Rahul Gandhi to discuss ‘pressing’ issues. Earlier, during the nine-day organisational tour of AICC General Secretary and Punjab in-charge Bhupesh Baghel from July 31 to August 8, the party’s ‘Har booth, Congress Mazboot’ camping, which covered around 18 districts and an earlier five-day exercise by Baghel in July at Chandigarh, which had been intended to address much the same problem, had produced little breakthrough. During the party’s ‘Har Booth, Congress Mazboot’ campaign, the grand old party found itself firefighting internal power struggles and fissures as public clashes erupted between rival factions, with supporters of former Chief Minister Channi raising slogans in his favour and verbal clashes breaking out between supporters of Channi and Warring at several meetings. “Go back Baghel” posters also surfaced in Muktsar, Patiala, Ludhiana, Bathinda and other places. The infighting came to the fore when the Congress leadership, on July 1, announced its decision to retain Amarinder Singh Raja Warring as state unit chief and appointed former Chief Minister Channi as chairperson of its campaign committee. Channi’s supporters have been demanding that he be declared the party’s chief ministerial face for the 2027 Assembly elections. Harpreet Bajwa Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘China stopped our army from patrolling several places in Arunachal’: Rahul Gandhi slams Centre
NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that China had stopped Indian Army patrols at several locations in Arunachal Pradesh and called the development a matter of concern. “China has stopped our army from patrolling in several places in Arunachal Pradesh – this is extremely alarming,” Rahul said in a post on X. He also questioned the silence of defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue. “But even more alarming is the silence emanating from Rajnath Singh ji, Amit Shah ji, and Narendra Modi ji. Instead of stopping China, the Modi government is putting pressure on the media to suppress this news,” he added. — RahulGandhi (@RahulGandhi) Rahul referred to the Prime Minister’s statement following the Galwan clash that China had not taken any Indian territory, alleging that the government continues to protect the PM’s image instead of addressing the issue of national security. “The country still remembers that statement by the Prime Minister after Galwan, in which he caused immense damage to India by saying that China has not taken even an inch of our land. Even today, the same operation to save his image continues – and a Prime Minister who prioritizes his fake image over the country’s security is extremely dangerous for the nation,” he added. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also questioned the Centre over reports of China expanding its presence in areas of Arunachal Pradesh and sought answers on Indian access to patrolling points and traditional grazing and hunting grounds. “After Galwan, now Arunachal Pradesh? Disturbing reports suggest that China is attempting to push further into areas in Arunachal Pradesh, an inalienable part of our nation. This demands immediate answers from the Modi Govt,” Kharge said in a post on X. — kharge (@kharge) This comes after the ministry of external affairs (MEA) reiterated that Arunachal Pradesh is an “inalienable and integral part of India” in response to China’s recent “objection” to the renaming of places in the state. “Let me reiterate this once again that Arunachal Pradesh is an inalienable and integral part of India and this is a fact that is self-evident. At the same time, let me also underline that nothing can change this indisputable reality,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.India officially identified 27 locations in Arunachal by their standard names on the survey of India map, countering China’s repeated attempts to assign Chinese names to places in the state. Earlier, it was reported that there was no “slow encroachment” by China into Arunachal Pradesh. “There is no slow encroachment in Arunachal Pradesh by China as alleged,” a source was quoted as saying by news agency ANI. “Due to undemarcated border at times the patrols face off each other, this is resolved through existing mechanisms and protocols in vogue. The Army and ITBP are geared up to dominate the border, monitor and check Chinese activities. Sensational claims like this without going into specifics are attention-seeking ploys,” the report said citing sources. They said China has historically laid claim to Arunachal Pradesh, referring to it as “South Tibet”. During the 1960 border talks, Beijing had claimed around 69,000 sq km of territory in the state. ”China has claims on Arunachal as South Tibet, articulated in 1960 border talks, wherein they claimed approx 69,000 sq km of the state territory. In 1959 China attacked the Assam Rifles outpost at Longju and captured it. The area has since been in adverse possession and is frequently in news due to infra development done in this area by China,” they said. “During 1962 India-China War, major Chinese operations were launched in Kameng, Subansiri, Siyom, Siang and Lohit valleys. However, after ceasefire the PLA went back North of the LAC. Arunachal Pradesh shares a large border with Tibet along Great Himalayan range. Concerted infra push in recent years has enabled enhanced ptlg and surveillance of the area,” they added. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Odisha among top states in trans rehabilitation, lags in beggar rehabilitation
Bhubaneswar: Odisha has emerged as one of the better-performing states in the Centre’s rehabilitation programme for transgender persons, with 81 beneficiaries rehabilitated through Garima Grehs, even as its rehabilitation of people engaged in begging remains relatively modest compared with several other states. According to a Lok Sabha reply by Union minister of state for social justice and empowerment, B L Verma, as many as 1,041 transgender persons have been rehabilitated through Garima Grehs across 17 states/UTs under the Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons component of the Centre’s Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme over the last three years. Odisha’s 81 beneficiaries account for nearly 8% of the national total. Garima Greh provides shelter to transgender persons with amenities like food, medical care, yoga, meditation and recreational facilities. Besides, it provides support for the capacity-building/skill development and counselling to transgender persons. At the state level, Odisha has the fourth-highest number of transgender persons rehabilitated under the programme. Maharashtra tops the list with 211 beneficiaries, followed by Chhattisgarh with 100 and West Bengal with 82. The Centre has established 23 Garima Grehs in 17 states/UTs, including one in Odisha, to provide shelter and rehabilitation support to transgender persons. The parliamentary reply also said Transgender Welfare Boards and Transgender Protection Cells have been established in Odisha, placing the state among those with institutional mechanisms for extending welfare support and protecting the rights of transgender persons. The picture, however, is different when it comes to rehabilitation of people engaged in begging. Since the beggary component of the SMILE scheme was launched on Oct 23, 2023, 10,446 persons have been rescued and rehabilitated across the country. In Odisha, Puri recorded the highest number of rehabilitated persons at 111, followed by Bhubaneswar with 103 and Cuttack with 74. The Centre has also released funds for implementing the rehabilitation programme at six locations in Odisha. Cuttack received Rs 36.75 lakh, while Puri and Bhubaneswar received Rs 33.35 lakh each. Berhampur, Koraput and Angul were allocated Rs 14.61 lakh each, taking the total to around Rs 1.47 crore. The scheme seeks to address begging through a rehabilitation-oriented approach rather than merely removing people from public spaces, with a focus on skill development, livelihood support and social reintegration. For transgender rehabilitation, Odisha received Rs 31.41 lakh in 2025-26, compared with Rs 26.59 lakh in 2024-25. Officials in the state govt said that under the SMILE sub-scheme for people engaged in begging, while drives are on to identify more persons, existing beneficiaries are being provided skill development and livelihood opportunities through a convergence approach with various central and state govt programmes. Eligible beneficiaries have been provided skill training based on local demand and aptitude in trades such as carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security services, sanitation work and e-rickshaw driving, besides other vocational activities, the officials said. According to state-level data, 784 persons engaged in begging have been identified since Octo 2023, of whom, 288 have been rescued and rehabilitated. Of these, 78 have been provided wage-based employment opportunities, while self-employment support has been extended to another 100, officials said. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
“The attackers should be brought back,” Minister in-charge Krishna Paswan expressed his anger over the attack on a Dalit in Kaushambi.
In Kaushambi, a bullock disappeared after being taken after being requisitioned. A Dalit who went to complain was beaten and threatened with death. As the matter escalated, the Minister-in-Charge criticized the police administration and ordered strict action. Ashok Vishwakarma, Kaushambi: Minister-in-Charge Krishna Paswan’s anger reached its peak upon learning of the lack of police action against a Dalit family in Gaderian Ka Pura village, under the Saini police station in Kaushambi, four days ago. The Minister-in-Charge, who arrived at the victim’s home late Tuesday night with his entourage, strongly criticized the police officers. While reprimanding the Superintendent of Police for failing to reach the scene, he also instructed the Chief Superintendent of Police (CO) to bring back all the attackers. The disappearance of the bullock that was requisitioned and taken back is said to be the reason behind the incident. Learn more about the incident According to village resident Kesai Saroj, on the afternoon of August 6th, he was grazing his bull in the fields when Shankar Lal of Paras village borrowed it for some work. On August 8th, when the bull didn’t return, he went to retrieve it with his younger son, Chhavilal, nephews Aman and Ashok. Ehsan Usmani and Gufran, both villagers present, abused him and told him to turn back. Upon his protest, the men used casteist slurs and beat him severely with sticks. They threatened to crush him to death with a Scorpio if he complained. Someone recorded a video of the incident and made it viral. The victim, a Dalit family, who went to complain about the incident were ignored and chased away. The accused were charged with disturbing the peace and were released. Meanwhile, Minister of State in Charge Krishna Paswan, enraged by the viral video, went to the victim’s family’s home with her entourage at 9 pm on Tuesday. She contacted the SP via mobile phone, sharply criticizing him for failing to reach the scene, and demanded the immediate suspension of the outpost in-charge. Instructions given to the CO When asked about the action taken against the bullies, CO Satendra Tiwari stated that he was dissatisfied with their actions. Was something serious being awaited? He said that Shankar Lal, who had demanded the oxen and taken away, along with the bullies Ehsan Usmani and Gufran, should be dragged out and strict action should be taken. Authored by: Vishal Choubey About the author Vishal Choubey works for Navbharat Times Online. Vishal writes on politics, crime, governance, and law and order in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, among other issues. He has four years of experience in journalism. He joined Navbharat Times Online in April 2025. Courtesy: Hindi News
Purification at Haldwani’s Ramlila Maidan after Kharge’s rally, Congress says it’s an insult to Dalits
After the Congress’s Vijay Shankhnaad rally in Haldwani, the Ramlila Maidan was purified, which the Congress called an insult to Dalits. Jagran correspondent, Haldwani. Following the Congress’s Vijay Shankhnaad rally, the Shri Ram Sena Charitable Trust has sparked a new controversy by purifying the city’s Ramlila Maidan. The Congress, which has been on the back foot since the SSP was abused on the day of the rally, is now cornering the BJP on this issue. The party says that the rally included Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge, State in-charge Kumari Selja, and Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, all Dalits. The purification havan ceremony clearly demonstrates the BJP’s anti-Dalit mindset. The organization that organized the havan argues that slogans in support of the Muslim religion were raised from the stage during the rally. On August 8th, Congress National President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, attended the Vijay Shankhnaad rally held at Ramlila Maidan. Controversy erupted even before the event began. A large number of activists, led by State President Ganesh Godiyal and Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya, stormed the SSP’s office after the police stopped the vehicles of the rally workers under the guise of checking. SSP Manjunath TC was not in the office at the time. Video went viral During this period, a video of abusive language being used against the SSP also circulated. Meanwhile, after the rally, the BJP, citing a video, alleged that slogans in support of the Muslim religion were raised during Kharge’s rally. Based on the video, on August 10th, an organization called Shri Ram Sena Charitable Service Trust reached Ramlila Maidan and performed a havan (fire ritual) and sprinkled Ganga water. The organization alleged that Ramlila Maidan, a venue for events related to Sanatan Dharma, had been violated. Its sanctity had been violated. On the other hand, Congress, calling the video fake (AI-created), staged a protest at the police multi-purpose building on Tuesday, demanding an FIR against the accused. Congress leaders, meanwhile, said that those with a BJP mindset do not want social harmony to prevail in the country. The BJP, which claims to be pro-Dalit, has been exposed. Congress workers burn BJP effigy On Wednesday, under the leadership of Indra Pal Arya, District President of the Congress Scheduled Caste Department, workers staged a protest at Buddha Park. Congress workers stated that after Kharge’s rally, a purification ritual was performed at Ramlila Maidan, along with the sprinkling of Ganga water. This act by the BJP is against social equality and brotherhood. It is an insult not only to Kharge but to the entire Scheduled Caste community. Radha Arya, coordinator of the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Cell, said that the BJP has always promoted an anti-Dalit mentality. Along with the effigy burning, a memorandum was sent to the President through the Tehsildar, demanding an impartial investigation into the matter and action against the culprits. BY GOVIND SINGHE EDITED BY: SHIV GOVIND MISHRAA Courtesy: Hindi News
Dalit community enraged after all accused in Nagaur’s Dangawas massacre were acquitted, protest in Jaipur
Dalit organizations have launched a protest after the court acquitted all 40 accused in the highly controversial Dangawas massacre in Rajasthan’s Nagaur district. The issue of the 11-year-old Dalit massacre in Dangawas, Nagaur district, has once again heated up. The court’s acquittal of all 40 accused in the case has sparked anger among Dalit organizations on the streets. On Wednesday (August 12), a large number of Dalit organizations, social activists, and family members of the victims staged a protest at the Martyrs’ Memorial in the capital, Jaipur, demanding justice. Speakers at the protest expressed deep disappointment and surprise at the court’s decision. The protesters’ primary concern was the brutal killing of six people, including five Dalits, in a land dispute in 2015. The investigation into the case lasted 11 years, and the CBI filed a charge sheet naming 40 people as accused. Despite this, how were all the accused acquitted? They said that if the murders occurred, someone must be responsible; then why is he not being punished? Questions Raised on the Justice System Dalit thinkers present at the protest said that this verdict is not just the end of a case, but it also raises a serious question mark on the right of Dalits to access justice. Such decisions shatter the trust of the vulnerable and deprived sections of society in the country’s judicial system. Warning to the Government: Appeal to the High Court The protesting Dalit organizations have clearly warned the state government that if a strong appeal is not filed in the High Court, the movement will be intensified. They clearly stated that they will not let this issue rest here and will continue their struggle until the victims get justice. What is the entire Dangavas incident? It is noteworthy that on May 14, 2015, a bloody conflict broke out between two parties in Dangavas village of Nagaur over a dispute regarding approximately 23 bighas of land. Six people, including five Dalits, were killed in this horrific violence. Given the gravity of the incident, the investigation was handed over to the CBI. The CBI filed a charge sheet against 40 people, but recently, on August 5, 2026, the Special SC-ST Court in Merta acquitted all the accused due to lack of evidence. Politics Also Intensifies Following this decision, rhetoric has intensified in Rajasthan politics. In addition to Dalit organizations, the Congress is also vocal on this issue. Several senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, have questioned the decision and demanded justice. Written By: Mohammad Moin About the author Mohammed Moin has nearly three decades of experience in journalism. He has worked across print, electronic, and digital media. He has been associated with ABP Network for the past 18 years, since his time at Star News. Courtesy: Hindi News
A Dalit man was tied upside down to a pole and beaten; he continued to plead for help in Balrampur, resulting in his death. A case has been filed under the SC/ST Act.
A case has been filed under murder and the SC/ST Act in the death of 38-year-old artisan Ram Sanehi in the Gasdi area of Balrampur. Efforts are now underway to uncover the truth based on video footage and other evidence. Balrampur: The case of the death of a Dalit youth in Balrampur district, Uttar Pradesh, is gaining momentum. A video of the alleged beating of 38-year-old artisan Ram Sanehi in Thakurpur village, located in the Gasdi police station area, has created a sensation in the area. In the viral video, a young man is seen tying him to a pole and beating him with a stick, while the victim is heard pleading for mercy. The family alleges that he was brutally beaten to death by goons. The accused party claims that Ram Sanehi had arrived with the intention of stealing. Police have registered a case of murder and under the SC/ST Act and have begun investigation. Viral Video Revealed The case is from Thakurapur village in the Gasdi police station area of Balrampur. The deceased has been identified as 38-year-old Ram Sanehi, a craftsman from Vishunpur Kalan. According to family members, Ram Sanehi earned his living as a laborer. His wife had left him, and he lived with his brothers. On Wednesday, a 33-second video went viral on social media. In the video, Ram Sanehi can be seen being tied to a pole and beaten. It is reported that the entire case took a new turn after this video surfaced. Brother Made the Video as Evidence The deceased’s brother, Phool Kumar, stated that someone had posted the video on Facebook. When the family learned of it, they downloaded the video and submitted it to the police as evidence. Phool Kumar alleges that Guddu, a resident of Thakurpur, his father Akbar Ali, Magghe Nau, and their associates beat Ram Sanehi, resulting in his death. The family has demanded strict action against the accused. What is the accused party’s claim? The accused party claims that Ram Sanehi arrived with the intention of stealing. He was then caught and beaten by the people. However, this claim is under investigation, and the police are investigating all the facts. Case filed based on video Based on the viral video and the family’s complaint, the police have filed a case against three named and one other accused. Sections of murder and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act have been imposed in the case. According to sources, the police have detained some suspects and begun questioning them. Police said they will take further action based on the facts. Gasdi Kotwali in-charge Inspector Rajkumar Pandey said, “Some suspects are being questioned in connection with the young man’s murder. Initial investigations have revealed that the young man went there with the intention of stealing. People caught him and beat him. Further action will be taken based on the post-mortem report and the facts revealed in the investigation.” Reported by: Ranveer Singh Written by: Ajay Kumar Patel Courtesy: Hindi News
CM Shivakumar’s cabinet inducts 19 ministers as Congress high command clears portfolios
The allocation will become official only after the chief minister formally forwards the list and Lok Bhavan issues the notification, which is expected by Wednesday evening. BENGALURU: With hours to go before the joint legislature’s monsoon session, the Congress high command has reportedly cleared the allocation of portfolios to the 19 ministers inducted into Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s cabinet, ending the prolonged uncertainty over department distribution. But the final list has not reached the Lok Bhavan for approval and notification. Shivakumar met his spiritual guru, Sri Karivrushabha Deshikendra Swamiji of Kadaaiddeshwara Mutt, who had arrived at a devotee’s residence in Bengaluru seeking his blessings. He is likely to make some changes in the portfolios, even as it’s being finalised by and large, before sending the final list to the Raj Bhavan. However, the issue of women’s representation in the cabinet remains unresolved, with the cabinet continuing without a woman minister. The decision to accommodate a woman legislator has reportedly been kept on hold, with sources indicating the issue could be taken up after the 10-day legislature session. The demand for the induction of Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa, who is unhappy over his exclusion, has also been kept in abeyance. The allocation of portfolios is an urgent issue ahead of the monsoon session, which begins on August 13. Initial reports suggest that the proposed distribution of portfolios covers 11 ministers who were inducted during the cabinet expansion and sworn in on August 3. Those who have reportedly not been allotted the portfolios include former chief minister Siddaramiah’s son MLC Dr Yathindra Siddaramaiah, Arasikere MLA K. M. Shivalinge Gowda, Challakere MLA T. Raghumurthy, Ballari Rural MLA B. Nagendra, Malavalli MLA P. M. Narendraswamy, Chamarajanagar MLA Puttarangashetty, Haveri MLA Rudrappa Lamani and Bagalkote MLA Vijayanand Kashyapanavar. By evening, they may be allocated the portfolios, according to sources. The delay in allocating portfolios to some of the newly inducted ministers had triggered speculation that the chief minister was considering a minor reshuffle by dropping one or two existing ministers to accommodate and placate disgruntled legislators, particularly Vijayanagar MLA M. Krishnappa and Byadagi MLA Basavaraj Shivannanavar, who are believed to enjoy the backing of Siddaramaiah. The final list of portfolios is likely to be forwarded to Lok Bhavan for formal approval and notification. The decision follows several rounds of discussions between Shivakumar, senior Congress leaders in the state and the party high command. Shivakumar had discussed the issue with AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, AICC general secretary (organisation) K. C. Venugopal and Karnataka Congress in-charge Randeep Singh Surjewala, pressing for an early resolution before the legislature session. The high command is also understood to have obtained the approval of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi before giving a nod. According to the proposed allocation, N. Cheluvarayaswamy is likely to return to the Agriculture portfolio, which he held in the previous Siddaramaiah cabinet. H. Muniyappa, who earlier held the Food and Civil Supplies Department, is expected to be given Social Welfare, a portfolio he had reportedly sought. Mayakonda MLA K. Basavanthappa is likely to be entrusted with Fisheries and Ports, while Davanagere North MLA S. S. Mallikarjun is expected to get Mines and Geology, a department he had handled previously. Shivaraj Tangadagi is likely to be given Kannada and Culture, while Magadi MLC H. C. Balakrishna may get Minor Irrigation. Laxman Savadi is expected to be allotted Cooperation. Among the other proposed allocations, Assembly Speaker U. T. Khader is likely to be given the additional responsibility of Minority Welfare. Jewargi MLA Ajay Singh is expected to get Forests, while Madhu Bangarappa is likely to return to Primary Education and Santosh Lad to Labour Welfare—both portfolios they had held during the previous Siddaramaiah government. Rizwan Arshad is expected to be given Food and Civil Supplies. The portfolio exercise had triggered intense lobbying within the ruling Congress, with newly inducted ministers seeking departments of their choice while the leadership attempted to balance regional, caste and political considerations. The high command’s approval is expected to clear the way for the new ministers to assume charge of their respective departments ahead of the legislature session. The allocation will become official only after the chief minister formally forwards the list and Lok Bhavan issues the notification, which is expected by Wednesday evening. Devaraj B Hirehalli Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Cong accuses BJP of politicising Jharkhand students’ stir, bringing outsiders to disrupt protests
Accusing the BJP of being involved in “exam mafia” across the country, the Congress said the BJP was “opposing” the CID probe into paper leaks in the state, “fearing that it would get exposed”. Jharkhand Ministers Radha Krishna Kishore, Dipika Pandey Singh, and Shilpi Neha Tirkey during a joint press conference regarding the alleged paper leak of the JSSC CGL examination and irregularities in the 14th JPSC exam, in Ranchi, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Jharkhand Ministers Radha Krishna Kishore, Dipika Pandey Singh, and Shilpi Neha Tirkey during a joint press conference regarding the alleged paper leak of the JSSC CGL examination and irregularities in the 14th JPSC exam, in Ranchi, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026.(Photo | PTI) The Congress on Wednesday accused the BJP of “politicising” the students’ agitation over alleged exam irregularities in Jharkhand and said that it was “bringing people from other states” to disrupt the protests. Accusing the saffron party of being involved in “exam mafia” across the country, the Congress said the BJP was “opposing” the CID probe into paper leaks in the state, “fearing that it would get exposed”. A probe by the CBI, “a tool of the Centre”, will yield the “desired results” for them even in Jharkhand, asserted four Congress ministers – Radha Krishna Kishore, Shilpy Neha Tirkey, Dipika Pandey Singh and Irfan Ansari – at a press conference here. “The BJP brought people from other states to disrupt the students’ peaceful protest in Ranchi on August 10 over exam irregularities. We urge Chief Minister Hemant Soren to ensure that each such BJP worker is identified and strong action is taken against them,” Kishore said. He alleged that the BJP’s state leadership acted at the Centre’s behest to disrupt the students’ stir, as the recent assembly gherao in Ranchi was “not on the protesters’ agenda”. Claiming that the Jharkhand government initiated steps in exam “anomalies” much before the students started their protests, Singh said, “152 paper leaks took place in the country since 2015 under the BJP rule, but CBI probe was conducted in only 17 such cases with zero conviction”. Jharkhand Ministers Radha Krishna Kishore, Dipika Pandey Singh, and Shilpi Neha Tirkey during a joint press conference regarding the alleged paper leak of the JSSC CGL examination and irregularities in the 14th JPSC exam, in Ranchi, Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026. Jharkhand exam stir enters 19th day as students vow to intensify agitation Singh said the CBI probes included the NEET-UG 2024, UGC-NET 2024, SSC-CGL 2017, JEE Main 2021 and the West Bengal SSC 2016, “but the outcome was nothing”. Regarding the Haryana Judicial Services 2017 case, a conviction was secured not by the CBI, but by an SIT constituted by the state authorities, she claimed. Tirkey asserted that no force was used on the protesting students in Jharkhand, whereas during the earlier BJP regime in the state, “the voice of the youth was crushed”. She also said that it was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi who worked to awaken the youth across the country through the ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ campaign. This awareness is now giving students the courage to step forward and participate in these movements, asserted Tirkey. “Even at Jantar Mantar during the NEET protests, Rahul Gandhi was present to boost the morale and courage of the students,” she said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights